As I type this, I am 14 days away from sitting for my WSET Level 3 Award in Wines exam. I know, I know - I bring that up with every post, but it’s important because there’s a level of urgency that’s both exciting and daunting. Exciting because I’m very close to crossing the finish line in yet another level of my wine journey. Daunting because well, there’s A LOT of information to remember. During our last class, we traveled [...]
Alright, so we’re still in France, but preparing to creep into other parts of Europe that are known for their aromatic whites. But first - let’s finish our Tour De France. Two of the most recognized grapes in Bordeaux are Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. We know Sauv Blanc for its fresh, herbaceous zippiness and Semillon is the sweet one. Together, they both achieve balance and can be found in a variety of combinations that result in Bordeaux Blanc. Another grape [...]
This week, we started our very first deep dive into a wine region - FRANCE! I consider France is the O.G. in this wine game - for it is home to many beloved grape varietals that have found their way around the world. Months before shelter in place was a part of our common life, I had the opportunity to visit Bordeaux for the first time on a press trip and explore both wines of the Left and Right [...]
Due to some technical difficulties, I wasn’t able to catch last week’s class in real time – but thank goodness for Voice Thread! Reviewing the session and having the opportunity to pause and take very detailed notes. In this lesson, it was quite fascinating to learn about the specific parts of a vine, ripening and how much of a role that climate plays in the success of a harvest season. What I’m learning thus far about Level 3 is that [...]
If there’s anything I’ve learned about wine since starting my journey two years ago, it’s that this learning and absorbing all there is to know about it is a marathon, not a sprint. As a former runner, I’m familiar with the many aspects of training that comes with preparing for a race: sticking to a running schedule with short and long runs, eating a healthy diet in the months and weeks leading up to the big day, and of [...]
